Alcatraz Escape : The Legendary Breakout

The Alcatraz escape of 1962 is one of the few stories in the world of true crime that have managed to grab our attention for so long. Alcatraz, better known as "The Rock," was a fortress of a prison, isolated on an island smack in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Its reputation? Inescapable. Or so they thought.

But on one foggy June night in 1962, three inmates, Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin decided to do what everyone thought was impossible. They broke out of Alcatraz. This is how they did it.

Alcatraz's Infamous Past

Just over a mile off the coast of San Francisco, Alcatraz Island has a history that’s as rugged as its cliffs. It was first named "La Isla de los Alcatraces" by a Spanish explorer back in 1775, thanks to a bunch of seabirds he thought were gannets but were actually pelicans. Over time, this rocky outcrop went from a military fortress to one of the most notorious prisons in the U.S., opening its doors to America’s worst in 1934.

Alcatraz was designed to be the end of the road for hardened criminals. The cells were tiny, the rules were strict, and the icy waters of the bay acted as a natural moat. Escape? It was considered out of the question. Even infamous gangsters like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly couldn’t crack it.

Living Conditions of Alcatraz Inmates

Life inside Alcatraz was bleak. Inmates were packed into tiny cells and lived under strict rules that aimed to break their spirits. Talking? Forget it. Inmates had to keep their mouths shut unless absolutely necessary. Those who stepped out of line faced harsh punishments, including time in solitary confinement, an experience that would plunch an inmate into total darkness and utter isolating.

The living conditions were basic, to say the least. Each cell had a bed, a toilet, and a small sink with cold water. There were no luxuries here. Privileges like recreation or classes had to be earned through good behaviour. Most of the time, inmates were confined to their cells with little more than the hopeless idea that escape was impossible. That is until Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers arrived.

The Brains Behind the Plan

Frank Morris wasn’t your average crook. With an IQ of 133, he was sharp and cunning. Orphaned at a young age, Morris spent his childhood bouncing between foster homes before turning to a life of crime. By the time he landed in Alcatraz in 1960, Morris had already escaped from several prisons. Alcatraz was supposed to be the end of his line, but Morris had other plans.

John and Clarence Anglin were inseparable, born into a large family of seasonal farmworkers. The brothers turned to bank robbery in the early 1950s, making sure to target closed banks to avoid harming anyone. Their criminal activities eventually earned them 35-year sentences, and after a few failed escape attempts from other prisons, they ended up on Alcatraz. Growing up near the water, the brothers were strong swimmers which would be a skill that would soon come in handy.

Allen West was the lesser-known member of the escape plan. A career criminal with more than 20 arrests, West had a history of trying to escape from prisons but wasn’t as successful as Morris or the Anglins. Still, he played a vital role in the planning, even though things didn’t go as planned for him on the night of the escape.

Breaking Out of The Inescapable

The moment Morris, the Anglin brothers, and West arrived at Alcatraz, they began studying the guards’ routines and identifying weak points in the prison’s security. The four men were conveniently placed in adjacent cells, allowing them to communicate and plot their escape at night.

A Hidden Opportunity

Morris was the first to notice a potential weak spot, he noticed a large vent on the roof of their cell block. The vent, which covered a hole left by removed equipment, was only bolted into place. This, Morris realised, was their ticket out.

Nail Clippers, Spoons, and Ingenuity

The escape plan was nothing short of brilliant. Using nail clippers, spoons, and old saw blades, the men began chiselling away at the crumbling plaster around the ventilation grates in their cells. Alcatraz was showing its age, which made the task a bit easier. But simply digging a hole wasn’t enough, they had to keep their work hidden. So, they used cardboard and paint to disguise their progress, making sure the grates looked untouched during inspections.

Execution of the Great Plan

After months of preparation, the night of June 11, 1962, finally came. The men knew the foggy weather would work in their favour. But as with any great plan, there was a hitch.

Despite being part of the plan, Allen West couldn’t make it out of his cell in time. Whether it was his hesitation or a problem with removing his vent cover, West was left behind while the others made their escape. By the time he reached the roof, Morris and the Anglins were already gone.

Morris and the Anglin brothers made it to the roof, where they used handmade wooden paddles and a re-engineered accordion to inflate their raft made from over 50 stolen raincoats. They scaled the fences, slid down pipes, and reached the shore. There, they launched their raft into the cold waters of San Francisco Bay and vanished into the night.

A Mystery That Won’t Die

When the guards discovered the empty cells the next morning, it sparked one of the largest manhunts in history. The FBI, Coast Guard, and local police scoured the bay and surrounding areas, but the escapees were never found.

In the days after the escape, a paddle, a waterproof pouch, and bits of the raft were found near Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. The pouch contained personal items belonging to the Anglin brothers, leading many to believe they had drowned. But without bodies, the mystery remained unsolved.

Over the years, various theories have emerged. Some believe the men drowned, while others are convinced they made it to shore and disappeared. Reports of a stolen blue Chevrolet in Marin County the day after the escape added fuel to the fire. And then there were the mysterious postcards and gifts sent to the Anglin family, along with reports of two veiled women at their mother’s funeral who by many were believed to be the brothers in disguise.

The 2013 Letter

In 2013, a letter supposedly written by John Anglin surfaced, claiming that all three men had survived the escape but were now old and struggling with health issues. The letter offered to surrender in exchange for medical care, but handwriting analysis was inconclusive. The mystery endures.

The Legacy of the Alcatraz Escape

The 1962 Alcatraz escape remains one of the most famous prison breaks in history. It’s a tale of ingenuity, determination, and the unyielding human spirit. Despite the odds, three men dreamt of freedom and may have actually achieved it.

Today, Alcatraz is a popular tourist spot, where you can see the very cells that Morris and the Anglins escaped from, along with the papier-mâché heads they used to fool the guards. The story has been immortalised in books, films, and documentaries, continuing to captivate people around the world.

FAQs

Q: How many people successfully escaped from Alcatraz?
A: Of the 36 men who tried, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers are the most famous, though their fate remains a mystery.

Q: What happened to Allen West?
A: West couldn’t escape his cell in time. He later cooperated with authorities and wasn’t charged for his role in the plan. He died in prison in 1978.

Q: Is it possible the escapees survived?
A: While the FBI concluded they likely drowned, various clues suggest they might have survived. No conclusive evidence has ever been found.

Q: Can you visit Alcatraz today?
A: Yes, Alcatraz Island is now a major tourist destination managed by the National Park Service. You can tour the prison, including the escapees’ cells.

The Alcatraz escape is a testament to human determination and the allure of the unknown. Whether the escapees survived or not, their story continues to intrigue, showing that even the most secure prisons can’t completely contain the human spirit.

If this story piqued your interest, be sure to check out our other episodes where we explore history’s dark corners, unsolved mysteries, and extraordinary tales from around the globe.